Three books point the way to a better brain.
Forget a midlife crisis: journalist Mark S. Walton argues that our brain actually gains new powers midway through life. In Boundless Potential (McGraw-Hill, 2012), Walton explains the neuroscience behind people's ability to reinvent their careers, finances and love lives at 40, 50, 60 and beyond. He also provides tips for how readers can do the same.
In What Makes Your Brain Happy and Why You Should Do the Opposite (Prometheus Books, 2011), science writer David DiSalvo describes how the shortcuts our brain uses to navigate the world can also cloud, bias and distort our judgment. DiSalvo combs through recent research for ways to identify and prevent such mental foibles.
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Why do some of us see a half-empty glass, whereas others see it as half full? In Rainy Brain, Sunny Brain (Basic Books, 2012), psychologist and neuroscientist Elaine Fox explores the connection between optimism and happiness and describes techniques such as cognitive-behavior therapy that can help us change how we view the world. Retraining our brain can allow us to think more positively and relieve stress.
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